My guess is that this is related to JPATraversableResolver. Since you are using JPA, Bean Validation (aka Hibernate Validator) uses a JPA aware TraversableResolver. Internally it calls {{ Persistence.getPersistenceUtil().isLoaded}} to determine if a given property is loaded.

HibernatePersistence is indeed deprecated and HibernatePersistenceProvider should be used. Question is where the former is coming from. Can you create a test case or be more specific on what type and versions of artifacts you are using. Maybe you could post some example code?